Starting mechanism for combustion-engines.



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A. siicm. STARTING MECHANISM FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED APR. I2. 1912. 1,254,774. Patented Jan. 29,1918.

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- WITNESSES A. BUCHL STARTINB MECHANISM FOR COMB USTION ENGINES. APPLICATION FILED APR. 1 2. 1912.

1,254,774. Patented Jan. 29,1918.

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WITIIE88E8 INVENTOR v v A. B'u'cm. N STARTING MECHANISM FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES.

SAPPLICATION FILED K-ffR. I2. 1912.

Patentd Jan. 29,1918.

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- N v I I Wnoamsv INVENTOR 45 a valve 12 closin UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED BU'GHI, OF WINTERTHUR, SWITZERLAND, A SSIGNOR T0 BUSCH-SULZER BROS. DIESEL ENGINE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

STARTING MECHANISM FOR COMBUSTION-ENGINES.

Application filed April 12, 1912.

To'all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ALFRED Btiorn, engineer, a citizen of the Republic of Switzerland, residing atWVintex-thur. Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, have invented the following-described new and useful Improvements in Starting Mechanism for Combos tion Engines.

The invention is an improvement in combustion engines, its object being to provide the invention consists in the combination,

arrangement and mode of operation of the several parts as hereinafter set forth and pointed out in the claims.

The drawing represent. the invention in B0 schematic form'ln such manner as will enable those skilled in this art to understand and practice the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 represent respectively two positlons of valve gearing control according :to this invention, and

Figs. 3 and 4 represent the principles 0 invention applied in the same manner to multi-cy-linder engines.

Referring first to Fi s. 1 and 2, the engine cylinder is marked 1 and its piston 2, it being understood that the engine can be of any type or form desired. In addition to the usual ports and passages leading to or from the combustion space of the cylinder and which are omitted for clearness, the cvlinder is provided with a special passage through which' starting air can be admitted or through which excess cylinder pressure can be vented, according to the position of adjustment of the valve mechanism controlling such passage. In the present instance the passage is formed by a valve-casing 3, a pipe or similarcommunication 4, and a valve-casing 5'. The valve-casing 3 contains against or toward the cylinder. and 10a ed by the pressure of a spring 6, which pressure is imparted to the valve through the link and lever connections indicated by 7. The spring tension is suf- 0 ficient'through such connections to maintain the valve closed against all normal cylinder pressures but permits it to open to abnormal or dangerous pressures. The design of this safety valve 1s not important .so long as its. 5ilcontruction enables 1t to serve the function Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 29, 1918.

Serial No. 690,234.

just stated. The valve-casing 5 is in communication through a port or pipe 8, with the atmosphere, or a region of equivalently low pressure, and through the starting airpipe 10 i in communication with a source of compressed air, herein employed for starting the engine, or driving it. The valve 11 of this valve casing is shiftable between two positions therein, one of which is indicated by Fig. 1 and the other by Fig. 2. In Fig. 1 the position of the valve 11 is such thatit opens the passage-way 3, l, 5, 8 permitting excess cylinder pressure to raise the yalve l2 and escape when necessary through such passage to the atmosphere. In Fig. 2 the passage-way just mentioned is closed by the valve 11 and a communication from the pipe 4-to the air-pipe 10 is about to be opened. The means for producing this shift of posi tion of'the valve 11 is connected to open the loaded valve 12 at the same time, so that the. compressed air entering pipe may thus have access to the cylinder for starting or driving the engine by compressed air instead of combustion. The connections and-operating. means for this purpose comprise the push member 13, or equivalent device, ar-- ranged for operation either manually or by power, as desired. In the one case itcan be operated by the use of the screw-shaft 14 and hand-wheel 15 of obvious arrangement, and in the other by means otair pressure which can be taken from the air-pipe 10, the push member being supplied with a piston 16, and a cylinder 17, to which air may be admitted and exhausted, under control,

by the proper manipulation of the valves 18 and 18.. The operation of the said control member, whether regarded as the handwheel or the controlling valves, results in the opening of the valve 12, through the thrust of the push member 13v against theloading spring 6, and the resulting movement of the connections 7, but obviously such opening of the valve can-be accomplished in other Ways. Someone of the members thatare thus moved by the operation of the control member, and preferably the push member 13, bears the fulcrum, a shifting fulcrum, of a rocker lever 19, which is driven by a cam or eccentric 21. on an engine -driven cam shaft 22, and connected by a link 23 to the valve 11, so that such. valve, when in the to open and close the communication from grams.

the starting-air pipe. 10 to. the cylinder proper phase with the engine piston and according to the requirements of starting or driving the engine. The valve 11 can be of any desired type within this invention, being herein shown as a double-ended slide or piston valve with functions which are well-known as well as obvious from the diahence of the fulcrum 20, shifts themconnec tions 19 and 23 so as to move the slide valve 11 to the position indicated by Fig. 1,, where it no longer performs its functions of a starting valve, while the functionsof the air in'ay'be varied in accordance with requirements.

The stroke of the slide valve also, may be varied as required or necessary for properly fulfilling its starting functions,

and as will be" well understood by those. skilled in the art. 5

In Figs. 3 and 4, in which the same principle of control is applied to multi-cylinder engines, the valve 24 of each cylinder corresponds to the loaded valve 12 in Figs. 1 and 2, each, however, being in this case sup plied with its own loading spring 25 and with duplicate opening connections 26, where .by the actuation of the push member 13, will cause the simultaneous and positive opening of both valves against their loads. The valves 27 and 28 correspond respectively tothe slide valve 11 in Figs. 1 and 2, being also slide valves. These valves are hollow and may operate in the same valve casin through the end of which they are adapted to open communication between pipes 4 and the atmosphere as indicated, when the ful.-

crum 20 is shiftedto the safety escape position. Inthe other position,- being that indicated in Fig. 3, the said valves are appropriately operated to admit the startingair from pipe 10 to each cylinder at or about dead .center; The valve-actuating rockerlevers 19, however, in this case are operated by the engine drivenshaft 22, through link- -motion reversing-gear offamiliar design,

whereby the starting valvesmay be properly operated and controlled for eitherdirection of running of the engine, it being stood, of course, that the link -mot1on operates such valves in proper alternation with each other. In Figs. 3 and 4 the valve 30 is The shift of push member 13 and H underadapted to close. the when not needed.

, In both the exemplifications of the invention the starting air is exhausted through the normal exhaust valves or ports 31, but may be exhausted to the atmosphere back through the inlet pipes 4, by a proper modification of the gearing.

I claim: v

1. In apparatus'for starting combustion engines by compressed air, the combination with an engine cylinder of a valve for escape of excess pressure therefor and means for admitting compressed air through such valve for starting the engine.

2. In apparatus for starting combustion engines by compressed air, the combination with an engine cylinder, of a loaded valve therefor closing toward the same and provided with communications respectively representing an escape for excess cylinder res sure and an inlet thereto for compresse air, valve mechanism operating to close one of such communications and open the other, and means for suitably controlling the adsupply of starting air mission of compressed air through said inlet to start the engine therewith.

3. In combination with a cylinder of a combustion engine, valve mechanism pro viding an escape for excess pressure from the cylinder and a compressed air inlet to it, controlling means whereby either of such communications may be closed and the other opened,L-und englne-drlven means for controll ng the passage of compressed air through said compressed air inlet-for start" 'ing the engine.

4:. u a combustion engine, valve mechanisn. cor .olling air'inlet to the engine cylinder and an escape for. excess pressure therefrom, said mechanism being shiftable to close one passage and open-the'other, a loaded valve in the escape passage, and a device for shifting said valve mechanism.

' 5. In a combustion engine,valve mechanism controlling communications respectively rep assages representing an resenting an escape for excess pressure from the cylinder and an air inlet thereto, and comprrsmg a valve member shiftable between closing and opening positions with respect to said escape passage, and means for operating said. member in its escapeclosing position to adrmtcompressed air to the cylinder at or about the engine dead center. a

6. In a combustion engine, a cylinder rovided with a loaded valve for escapee excess pressure and havlng connections for ad- .mittingstarting air through it, means for opening the valve against its load and valvemeehanism controlled by said valve opening means adapted for timing the admission to the cylinder of such starting air.

7. In a combustion engine, a compressed air inlet to the engine cylinder controlled; by two valves in series relation, said passage being also adapted to provide an escape for excess cylinder pressure, in combination with a common control member for both valves wherebv' said passage may serve either of the i said functions.

8.In a combustion engine, a compressed air inlet to theengine cylinder adapted to serve also as an escape for excess cylinder 'pressure, and controlled by two valves, one i of such valves being engine-driven and constituting a starting valve and the other constituting a valve for escape of excess pressure in combination with a control member for both valves and serving to suspend and restore the respective functions thereof.

9. In a combustion engine, a passage for admitting compressed air to the engine cylinder for starting the engine, provided with v suitable valve mechanism whereby the same,

passage may serve also as a safety escapefrom the cylinder, and a control member for such valve mechanism operative to vary the extent of compressed air admission.

, 10. In a combustion engine, a passage for admitting compressed air to start the engine and provided with suitable valve mechanism, whereby the same passage may serve also as a safety escape for the cylinder pressure, a control member for such mechanism and fluid pressure means for operating the said control member.

11. In a combustion engine, a passage communicating with the engine cylinder and provided with two series-related valves adapted for relative adjustment whereby .the same passage may serve either as a compressed air inlet for starting the engine or a safety escape for excess cylinder pressure,

in combination with driving connections for operating one of said valves in phase with the engine, and acontrcl member for such driving connections adapted 'to open the other valve.

12. In a combustion engine a passage communicating-with the engmc cylinder and two series-relatedvalves therefor, driving connections for operating one of able member variably controlling such drivingconnections and adapted by its movement to' operate the other valve.

13. In'air-starting apparatus for combustion engines, a passage'communieating with the engine cylinder and controlled bytwo valves, one being a valve for escape of excess pressure and the other an air inlet valve, reversible means for operating the" latter valve tostart the engine in motion in either direction and a control member for said valve adapted 'for suspending and restoring the function of the escape valve.

14. In airstarting apparatus for combus tion engines, a passage controlled by two said valves in phase with the engine and a movsage to a region of series-related valves, the one most, remote from the cylinder having alternate positions in which it connects said passage respectively to the atmosphere and to a source of compressed air, and reversible enginedriven connections for operatingsaid valve as a starting valve, in itslattenposition, combined with means for operating the other valve.

15. In. air-starting apparatus for multicyhnder combustion engines, a passage to cach cylinder controlled by two valves, one

of said valves for each cylinder being shiftable between alternate positions in which it connects. such passage respectively with the atmosphere and with a compressed air source, and means common to all of the shiftable valves for moving the same from one position to the other.

i 16. In air-starting apparatus for combustion engines, a passagecsontrolled by two valves, the one most remote from the cyliny der being a slide valveand having alternate positions in which it connects saidpassage, respectively with the atmosphereandwlth a source of compressed air, in combination with driving connectionsfor actuating said valve as a starting valve in its latter position and means for shifting it from one position of operation to the other. 17. In air-starting apparatus for multicylinder combustion engines, a passage to each cylinder controlledby a valve for escape of excess pressure, means for suspending the functionfof such valves and means for admitting and controlling the admission of compressed air through such valves for starting the engine.

18. In an engine of the "character dc scribed, the combination of a cylinder, 55!

combined starting and safety valve whose-- face is expcsgd to the pressure existing within the cylinder to cause it to open outwardly on a predetermined cylinder pressure, an outlet port through which the contents of the cylinder may escape when the valve is opened in response to cylinder pressure,

means for opening the valve to admit starting fluid to the cylinder, and a'deviceto prevent said fluid from esca ing through the outlet port-when said vs. vs is opened by said means.

19. Avalve foeadmitting motive fluid to the cylinder of an internal combustion engins, combined with meansfor positively opening it to admit said fluid, -a spring-for holding it yieldingly closed, whereby it can open automatically to relieve an abnormal pressure in said cylinder, a connection from a source of fluid pressure andan' escape pas lower pressure,and

means for opening the fluid pressure con-- nection and closing the escape passage;

20.. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of :1 valve the face of which is l a spring-seated combined starting a exposed to cylinder pressure and moves outwardly when said pressure exceeds a predetermine'd value, a spring which normally holds the valve on its seat against the cylinder pressure, an outlet port through which the contents of the cylinder may pass when the valve is opened in response to cylinder pressure, and a piston actuated by compressed fluid which opens the valve against the action of the spring to admit said fiuld to the cylinder and also closes the outlet ort. p 21. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a valve the face of which is exposed to cylinder pressure and moves out-' wardly when said pressure exceeds a predetermined value, a spring which normally holds the valve on its seat against the cylinder pressure, the contents of the cylinder may pass when the valve is opened in response to cylinder pressure, a connection for supplying start ing fluid, and means valve against the action of the'spring and to close the outlet ort when said fluid is admitted to the cy inder. i

22. The combination, with an internal combustion engine having a cylinder and working piston of a" combined starting and relief valve therefor comprising a valve casing, an outwardly opening valve therein which is exposed to cylinder pressure, fluid actuated means for opening said valve to admit starting fluid to the cylinder, a passage connecting the interior of said valve casing to a region of lower pressure, and means for closingsaid passage during the admission of starting fluid.

23. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder, a working iston,

nd relief valve, a casing therefor, and means for alternately connectin the casing to the sup ply of starting flui to start the engine and to a region of lower pressure during normal operation.

24. In an internal combustion engine, the

an outlet port through which operative to open the the action of the spring for starting" 25. Starting and relief valve mechanism no for an internal combustion engine cylinder comprising two valves and two pastingv one of said passages leading from a son ce of compressed starting fluid and the other being a relief passage leading to a region of as lower pressure, one of the valves being shift-- able to open one of the passages and to close the other and the other valve being yield-- ingly spring-closed against cylinder pres sure and having means for opening it when in starting fluid is admitted.

26. Starting and relief valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine cyliiridcr comprising two valves and two passages, one of said passages leading from a source at of compressed starting fluid and the other being a relief passage leading to a region of lower pressure, one of the valves control" ling the starting fluid passage and havin means for operating it in proper time tor an starting, and the other valve being yieldingly spring-closed against cylinder pressure to vent the cylinder through the reliei.

nesses. M

ALFRED B'Utllil. Witnesses:

CARL Goethe, Aneus'r Rimes. 

